Location: Tye river. Course: Put-in on the Tye about 2 miles downstream from Tye River Depot. Paddle 7.5 miles to a point 100 yards upstream of the confluence with Rucker Run.Many thanks to Sue and Ethan Saliba for allowing us to use their property on the Tye River.

Please: notify roussos@lynchburg.edu if you see any errors such as name misspellings, incorrect times, etc.

On This Page

Race Results

News and Commentary

Acknowledgements

Participation Counts

Legend

OC1

Open Canoe, 1 paddler

OC2

Open Canoe, 2 paddlers

Mixed

1 male & 1 female

K1

Kayak, 1 paddler

K2

Kayak, 2 paddlers

Saturday, April 30, 2005

Solo Canoe

OC1 Male (Advanced)

1. Ed Sharp

1:18:33

2. Tom Brubach

1:21:32

3. Conny Roussos

1:22:17

OC1 Male

1. Scott Forrest

1:23:13

2. Dave Thomas

1:23:30

3. Dale Swanson

1:27:00

4. Dave Howard

1:33:15

5. Mark Cerny

1:34:43

6. Jeff Smithson

1:35:16

7. Bruce Harkin

1:40:11

OC1 Male (Formula 14)

1. Phil Welker

1:26:45

OC1 Female

1. Martha James

2:08:01

Tandem Canoe

OC2 Male

1. Greg Grant & John Proffitt

1:21:35

2. Kevin Shifflett & Ben Hutt

1:23:02

3. John Atthowe & Ben Benevento

1:29:16

4. Dwayne Piepenburg & David Poulin

1:29:49

5. Peyton Coyner & Mark Fleming

1:42:51

OC2 Male Masters (Over 50)

1. Bob Davis and Larry Lubbers

1:15:55

OC2 Mixed

1. Lynn McDuffie & William McDuffie

1:13:33

2. David & Lena Welker

1:25:15

3. Corrie Pedro & Kevin Parker

1:31:21

4. Carole & David Crighton

1:51:58

OC2 Father/Son

1. Charles & Curtis May

1:38:22

2. George and Trent Powell

2:12:01

Kayak

K1 Female

1. Nikki Chambers

1:35:22

2. Wendy Dalton

1:37:24

3. Jennifer Stertzer

1:46:34

K1 Female Masters (over 50)

1. Marti Merritt

1:35:41

2. Jenny Newton

2:09:15

K1 Male

1. Dave Perault

1:19:13

2. Tom Womble

1:23:17

3. Gordon Dalton

1:24:10

4. Ted Heneberry

1:31:10

5. Luther Barden

1:38:17

6. Charles Morris

1:47:26

K1 Male Masters (over 50)

1. Sam Keaton

1:26:37

2. Bob Morris

1:28:48

3. Glen Bayley

1:49:47

K1 Youth Female

1. Suzie Hartzog

1:47:16

K1 Youth Male

1. Nick Kirchner

1:29:59

2. Ted Heneberry

1:31:10

The Outstanding Paddler Award for 2005 goes to Lynn and William McDuffie

Outstanding Paddler Ceremony
The Nelson Downriver Race is held annually, normally on the first Saturday of May. Due to conflicting events the race was held on April 30 this year. The winners of the prestigious Outstanding Paddler Award this year is the mixed tandem crew of Lynn and William McDuffie. Each year the name of the award winner is incribed onto a brass plate that is placed onto a paddle displayed in the Nelson Center in Lovingston, VA. An additional wooden paddle is inscribed and given to the winner of the award at the culmination of the awards ceremony.

National Champs
This year's participants included 7 national whitewater downriver racing champions.

Canoe and Kayak Racing Categories
Canoe and Kayak Racing Categories are almost too numerous to mention. Boats may be separated into different classes based upon many criteria including the following

Length

Width

Weight

Construction Material

Other design Factors

The reason for the distinctions (different classes) is that it is very difficult to judge the comparative paddling abilities of individuals when they are paddling different kinds of boats. The longer, lighter and more narrow a boat is the faster it tends to be.
Unfortunately, in many races there are not enough participating craft to divide them into proper classes. In fact, in some events, notably many triathlons, no distinction is made whatsoever. Obviously some attempt should be made to create classes of comparable boats whenever possible. A short, broad kayak designed for fishing in a pond is certainly no match for an Olympic racing canoe, so narrow (and fast) that only highly trained paddlers can stay upright for more than a few seconds.

Probably the easiest and most useful distinction is that used at the National Downriver Whitewater Recreational Canoe Championships sponsored by the American Canoe Association. Boats that compete there are divided into 2 classes referred to as formula 16 and formula 14 (or sometimes as 16% and 14%).
Formula 16 boats must be made of plastic (vinyl/ABS, polyethylene, etc). or aluminum or wood/canvas. Additionally ratio of the width of the boat mesasured at the 4 inch waterline to the length of the boat may not be less than 16%. These must be commercially available boats. Some modifications such as the inclusion of a limited amount of additional flotation may be made. However, allowed modifications are very restrictive.

The formula 14 category is designed for faster boats. These boats may be constructed of other lighter materials such as fiberglass, kevlar, woodstrips, graphite and carbon fiber. The ratio of the width at the 4 inch waterline to the length may not be less than 14.375% for formula 14 boats.

Race Photos
Reduced resolution photos of most paddlers are dinplayed on this website. Thanks to Vernon Powell, local canoeing guide and event photographer, our webmaster, Conny Roussos, and Emily Harper, Director of Nelson Co. Parks and Rec. for sharing in the photography duties.
Those who wish a CD of full-resolution race photos may purchase one by sending a check for $5.00 to
Conny Roussos
245 Cabell Mt Ln
Arrington, VA 22922

Thanks again to Ethan and Sue Saliba for their generosity in allowing us all to use their riverfront property..